Naji Marshall Leads Xavier with 19 Points in Loss at Villanova in BIG EAST Opener

Monday, December 30

Villanova, Pa.

6:30 p.m.

Xavier University

11-3,0-1Big Eas

Villanova

10-2,1-0Big Eas

Xavier

Villanova

Naji Marshall Leads Xavier with 19 Points in Loss at Villanova in BIG EAST Opener

12.30.19 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photos Season Stats

Tyrique Jones posted his eighth double-double of the season as the Musketeers fall 0-1 in BIG EAST action.

By: Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Despite erasing a 12-point deficit to come within four points in the final minutes, Xavier dropped it's BIG EAST opener to the No. 10/9 Villanova Wildcats on Monday night, 68-62. Tyrique Jones earned his eight double-double of the season, while Naji Marshall led the Musketeers in scoring with 19 points. Paul Scruggs also contributed double-figure scoring with 12 points and six assists.

The Musketeers fall to 11-3 overall and 0-1 in BIG EAST play.

FIRST HALF

After a scoreless minute and a half, Villanova took the first lead with a driving layup. Paul Scruggs evened the score on the next possession with a layup, 2-2 at the 18:12 mark.
Naji Marshall and Quentin Goodin had back-to-back buckets to put Xavier up 6-2.
Out of the first media, Villanova evened the score, 8-8 at 15:02.
After a six-minute scoring drought and a 17-0 Vilanova run, Tyrique Jones connected for the dunk, 21-10 Villanova.
After a mid-court steal, Goodin contributed for a fast break layup to bring the Musketeers within 10 with seven minutes in the half.
Zach Freemantle forced a Villanova turnover which was picked up by Scruggs. Scruggs had a step-back jumper off the turnover.
On the next possession, Scruggs found Goodin under the bucket for the quick layup, forcing a Villanova timeout. Xavier cut its deficit to nine, 28-19 with 3:43 in the half.
After a missed driving layup from Scruggs, Freemantle delivered with a tip-back dunk.
Goodin found Marshall for an athletic reverse layup to end the half trailing the Wildcats 32-25.
Marshall led all scorers at the break with nine points. Goodin added six points and three rebounds at halftime.
Jason Carter and Freemantle each had two blocks while combining for seven rebounds.
The Musketeers held the Wildcats shooting 27 percent from beyond the arc, 3-11.
Xavier totaled five blocks at the half, while Villanova had two.

SECOND HALF

Naji Marshall found Tyrique Jones on the back door cut for the slam to open the second half, 32-27 Villanova.
Jones erased a four-minute scoring drought to bring Xavier within seven out of the first media of the half.
Paul Scruggs pulled up to the elbow to connect for a tough step-back fadeaway.
After a deep three pointer from Villanova's Justin Moore, Marshall and Zach Freemantle combined for eight points which forced a Villanova timeout and brought Xavier within six, 49-43 at 9:14.
Villanova went on a 7-4 run, forcing a Xavier timeout and extending their lead to 11 with 4:37 remaining in regulation.
Out of the timeout, Marshall found Jones in the paint for a quick bucket. Villanova responded with a deep three from Saddiq Bey into the media.
Paul Scruggs responded out of the media with a driving layup followed by a hook shot from Jones to bring Xavier back with six with two minutes remaining.
A missed three-point jumper from Marshall turned into a basket for the Wildcats to put them up eight with 57 seconds and a Xavier timeout.
Out of the timeout, KyKy Tandy connected for a deep three, bringing the Musketeers within five, 65-60.
Scruggs earned a trip to the line on a shooting foul, making both free throws, 66-62 Villanova with 21 seconds.
Xavier fell 68-62 to Villanova.

NOTABLE

Naji Marshall led the way in scoring for Xavier, finishing with 19 points, three assist and two rebounds in 40 minutes of play.
Tyrique Jones posted eighth double-double of the season, earning 12 points while grabbing 10 boards.
Paul Scruggs added 12 points and six assists.
The Musketeers outscored the Wildcats in the second half, 37-36.
Xavier outrebounded the Wildcats on the defensive boards 28-25.
The Musketeers dominated Villanova on points in paint, 46-28.
Xavier held Villanova 7-25 from beyond the arc, just 28 percent and 40 percent from the field.
Xavier shot 47 percent from field goal range and 70 percent from the line.
Zach Freemantle, Jason Carter and Naji Marshall combined for six blocks, finishing with two apiece.
Quentin Goodin ended the night with six points on 3-5 shooting, while grabbing three boards.
Jason Carter added four points and five Musketeer rebounds.
Zach Freemantle contributed six points, going 3-7 from the field.
KyKy Tandy posted three points, on a three pointer to bring Xavier within five in the final seconds.

UP NEXT

Xavier opens a three-game home stand on January 5 at 4:30 p.m. The Musketeers continue BIG EAST play, taking on the St. John's Red Storm. The game will be broadcasted on FOX.

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